SAL1 Greenville Drive

Drive experience power outage, lose 5-1

Published on July 3, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release


Greenville, SC - After taking three of four games in each of their first two series' of the second half, the Greenville Drive split their four game showdown with the West Virginia Power, thanks to an uninspiring 5-1 loss Monday night at West End Field. With the loss, the Drive fell to 8-4 and dropped into a tie for second place with the Asheville Tourists.

The Power built a 2-0 lead off Drive starter Clay Buchholz (4-3) in the top of the first on two hits. Darren Ford led off with a single to right, but a fielding error by Luis Soto allowed Ford to advance to second. Ford then moved to third on a passed by before scoring on Lorenzo Cain's sacrifice fly to right. Two batters later Tony Festa belted a solo shot, his first of the season.

Steve Garrison provided solid starting pitching for West Virginia as he tossed 6.0 scoreless innings, surrendering five hits and a walk while striking out four en route to his third win of the season.

With two runs in the top of the seventh the Power extended their lead to 4-0. Ford reached base with one out on a fielding error by Tony Granadillo and advanced to third when Cain singled to right. Angel Salome collected two RBI when he doubled to center, plating Ford and Cain.

An inning later West Virginia put the nail in the coffin with another run to build a 5-0 lead. Ned Yost hit a one-out solo homer to left center, his sixth of the season.

After seven scoreless innings the Drive finally broke through for an unearned run against Dane Renkert in his second inning of work. After reaching base on an error, Mark Wagner scored when Chris Turner tripled to center.

The Drive begin a seven-game road trip tomorrow starting in Greensboro with the Grasshoppers. Greenville will send right-hander Michael Bowden (4-4, 3.31 ERA) to the hill as Greensboro will counter with southpaw Sean West (3-2, 2.01 ERA).

The Drive return home to West End Field on Wednesday, July 12th when they host the Asheville Tourists at 12:05 PM for a "Businessperson's Special."

Tickets to all Drive home games can be purchased by calling the Drive Ticket Office at 864-240-4528 or online at www.GreenvilleDrive.com.

NOTES: Jay Johnson led the Drive offensively, going 3-for-4 at the plate...Chris Turner and Pedro Vasquez each chipped in with two hits...Playing in his first game for the Drive in over a month and a half, Luis Soto went 1-for-2 and walked twice...Attendance was 6737

Check out the Greenville Drive Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 3, 2006


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